Two Year Anniversary

After two years of full time ministry it is time to return to working the earth, in a responsible way. Here is a picture of my new office. Instead of the cell phone putting me on high alert.....only the sounds of the wood thrush to lull me into deeper mindfulness. St.Isadore pray for me (the farmer)....St.Ambrose pray for me (the deacon)

Prayer

To pray is to be in nature.

To pray is to work mindfully.

To pray is to meditate with God.



I have reclaimed my prayer life!

Prayer

To pray is to be in time with nature.
To pray is to live and work in nature.
To pray is to observe nature.
God bless our days.

Patron Saint of Farmers

ST. Isidore, May 15th

(1070-1130)

Isidore has become the patron of farmers and rural communities. In particular he is the patron of Madrid, Spain, and of the United States National Rural Life Conference.

When he was barely old enough to wield a hoe, Isidore entered the service of John de Vergas, a wealthy landowner from Madrid, and worked faithfully on his estate outside the city for the rest of his life. He married a young woman as simple and upright as himself who also became a saint—Maria de la Cabeza. They had one son, who died as a child.

Isidore had deep religious instincts. He rose early in the morning to go to church and spent many a holiday devoutly visiting the churches of Madrid and surrounding areas. All day long, as he walked behind the plow, he communed with God. His devotion, one might say, became a problem, for his fellow workers sometimes complained that he often showed up late because of lingering in church too long.

He was known for his love of the poor, and there are accounts of Isidore’s supplying them miraculously with food. He had a great concern for the proper treatment of animals.

He died May 15, 1130, and was declared a saint in 1622 with Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila and Philip Neri. Together, the group is known in Spain as “the five saints.”

Its good to know our patron saints!

Quote

"Whatever the endeavors and hopes of reason, the moralist without faith, the citizen without tradition, and the man without experience remain pitiful people, exposed to every sort of defeat." - Cochin

Isaiah 33

13. (Yaweh is speaking) "You who are far away,
listen to what I have done,
and you who are near, realize my strength".

14. (now the author) The sinners in Zion are panic stricken
and fear seizes the Godless
'which of us can survive
the devouring fire,
which of us will survive the everlasting burning?'

15. The one that acts uprightly
and speaks honestly
who scorns to get rich by extortion,
who rejects bribes out of hand,
who refuses to listen to plans involving blood shed
and shuts his eyes
rather than countenance of crime:

16. such a man will live on heights,
the craggy rocks will be his refuge,
he will be fed, he will not want for water.

Extortion

Ex*tor"tion\, n. [F. extorsion.]1. The act of extorting; the act or practice of wresting anything from a person by force, by threats, or by any undue exercise of power; undue exaction; overcharge.

I might add to this .....the act of asking for money, so that I (the person asking) do not become suicidal, so that I may not become depressed and buy drugs, or become desperate and commit a crime. This act of extortion is a learned behavior of the self proclaimed poor. It is learned from and supported by or social support system. One reason for this may be for the bureaucrats to appear as heroes and saviors of the poor.

Good site re: vocations, Priest , and Permanant Deacons

Hears a good site with lots of good info about vocations. It has links to good articles about Permanent Deacons.

http://romancatholicvocations.blogspot.com/2008/03/inside-clear-creek-monastery.html

Let the good times roll!

Nothing better than seeing a man on his new tractor!

In Memory

In memory of our good friend Gille Boudreau



Your work is done here; but you have much to do as you pray for us and intercede for us in the Kingdom of God, the Shepard's work is never really done. You are a good friend.